The Murrysville, PA, Council green-lighted a proposal for a new Caliber Collision auto body shop April 3, despite strong opposition from nearby Manordale Farms neighborhood residents. The decision came after a discussion on the project's implications for the community's safety and environmental well-being, according to Trib Live.
The council cast a 5-2 decision to approve the 12,500-square-foot shop on a business-zoned parcel near Manordale Farms. Council members Jamie Lingg and Jason Lemak cast the dissenting votes, citing unresolved safety concerns due to the shop's entrance proximity to a busy highway.
Residents expressed their frustrations, highlighting the potential loss of nearby woods and questioning the necessity of this particular location for the auto-body shop. Lingg emphasized persistent safety worries, pointing out the dangers posed by the proposed entrance's proximity to fast-moving traffic.
In contrast, councilman Dayne Dice, an attorney, pointed out the legal ramifications of rejecting the project without a solid ordinance-based reason, noting that such a move could expose the town to a likely unfavorable lawsuit. He said the approval came with more than 25 voluntary conditions imposed on Caliber Collision, aimed at mitigating the project's impact on the community.
Councilman Carl Stepanovich expressed frustration over the perceived futility in appealing to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for reassessment of the entrance safety.
